Festivals, all dayers, tours; Big Deal Clothing are just about every where these days and with good quality clothes and brilliant designs, no ones complaining! Fresh from a new shoot, I asked owner, Michael Douglas, a few questions.
- How did Big Deal get started?
Since I was younger I have always been creative and enjoyed making things, I was a keen bmxer and spent all my spare time making bmx videos, this got me into media which ended up with me going to University in Lincoln and getting a degree in Media Production. I always thought about creating my own clothing line so when I graduated I decided to go for it. I saved up and bought my own screen printing equipment and spent many hours in my garage trying to learn it and creating the first Big Deal tees, then as the designs got more complicated and the quality of the prints needed to be the best I could get I started getting them printed professionally. Once they got to a standard I was happy with I built myself a website and a web store and started to sell online. I also started touring the country and then Europe taking my tees to shows to get the word about. Since the start I have been lucky enough to tour with some great bands/friends all over Europe from UK, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Croatia, France, Austria, Italy.
- What keeps Big Deal different to other clothing companies?
I’d say the biggest difference that sets us aside is the way we deal with the bands we work with, we keep everything very friendly and try to work close with them and try to give back to them as much as we get out of our partnerships.
Also garment wise what sets us apart is the thought put into our designs to get the most we can from the design and the range of different styles, not restricting us to one style. This all works alongside the quality of the garments themselves, we only want to release garments of the highest quality. It is more important to us to create something that people will be excited to wear and have people stop people in the street wearing Big Deal and ask about the clothes because of its style, quality and design. We don’t just want to sell quickly thrown together designs and have people buy just because of the name.
- How do you think up new ideas each time?
Well usually starts with a big brainstorming session with the Big Deal family - Marianne Harris, Jen Hughes and Emma Ducky about what each of us would garment style wise and what we think could take the brand to the next level. We will look around the AA site at all the different styles and pick the styles we like, once we have the style we decide what we’d like to gain from producing the specific garment. Once we have the style and the purpose of the garment I then take it to one of our designers - whoever best suits this style of garment and will convey the ideas over, then they will come up with about 10 different sketchs and designs and throw them back and forth til we are heading in the right direction, and then work on the design we feel works best. From there we will mock it up on the desired garment and il take it back to the Big Deal family and we will decide if it is doing what we want it to do, and if it is the designer will create the final design.
- Do you have the same team of people working for you each time or do you allow for others to submit ideas to you?
We have a Big Deal family: Marianne Harris, who some people will know through her photography of bands. Marianne does all the Big Deal photography and has just recently taken more responsibility dealing directly with the bands endorsed by Big Deal. The bands are a big part of Big Deal so thought they deserved their own person to work with to support them the best we can. Jen Hughes is one of the Big Deal models, she also works on the press and pr side of Big Deal, finding new ways to promote Big Deal through magazines and websites. The other member of the Big Deal family is the beautiful Emma Ducky, she along with Jen is the face of Big Deal! She is fast becoming very recognizable from being in all of the Big Deal photoshoots.They are the main 4 however we get a lot of help from other people, especially the bands, because of the way we work with them they don’t just see us as a company that throws clothes at them, they really get into what we are doing and want to be a part of what we are creating, so they help us at a lot of shows and really go out their way to promote Big Deal. We often speak to them about what they’d like to see us create garment wise as well.
- Where can we find the products to buy?
Big Deal products are available online from our webstore
www.bigdealclothing.co.uk Also we tour a lot all over the UK and parts of Europe, we try to be away each week somewhere at a show or an event where we take our full range of clothes which are available to buy at these events, so keep an eye out for us at a show in your area!
Big Deal Clothing is also available to buy in a couple of store, 2011 will see Big Deal popping up all over Europe in stores, but as for now available in 2nd Avenue in Lowestoft UK, and Jokers, Urbino, Italy.
- What bands are part of the Big Deal family?
Currently Big Deal Band/Artist family consists of
Deaf Havana
Francesqa
Yashin
Shadows Chasing Ghosts
Kids Can’t Fly
Atlas&i
Campus
The Casino Brawl
While She Sleeps
Bane
Bury Tomorrow
Shaped By Fate
The Eyes Of A Traitor
Carcer City
When Hope Escapes
- What’s the next step?
Next step, well more of the same: keep on pushing Big Deal further, release more top quality garments, supporting some great music. You will be seeing more specialist garments including dresses, bikini’s, Henley’s, Polo Shirts and more, don’t want to say too much! Also as I mentioned, 2011 is going to be a big year for Big Deal… should be seeing Big Deal appearing in a lot more stores for one.
We plan on doing lots more shows and events all over Europe, plus festivals.
The festivals we attended last year were great and worked very well, hopefully we will be doing something special at the awesome Hevy Fest!
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
5 years, mmm I’m not sure at this rate could even go as far as having our own Big Deal stores. That is the dream long term!
- Any hints on any new releases coming our way?
All im going to say is our first release is going to be in mid Feb, then we will be releasing our summer festival range around May time. As for previews, best bet is to follow our facebook and blog as we will be updating that regularly with updates and preview shots.
www.facebook.com/bigdealclothing
www.bigdealclothing.tumblr.com
- Do you have any tips for anyone thinking of starting a clothing company of their own?
The main bit of advice I would give is do what you want to do and be 100% happy with what you are creating before putting anything out there. Also don’t do it on your own! That has been the hardest part of Big Deal, there is a lot more goes into making a successful clothing line than most people think. One last thing too, help out anyone that you can, if you are really into what you are creating and the fashion industry you will like and respect what other people are doing too.
Pre Sale tickets on sale now for members of the BMTH fan club at http://www.artistarena.uk.com/bmth/
General Sale tickets from this Friday at 9am over at www.gigsandtours.com
Right at the start of this blog I posted the video to Not Advised - Right Now. We’ll here’s what you’ve all been waiting for (drum roll please).. The making of the video, video! Go and tell your Mum, your Aunty, your Nan and your Dog about Not Advised. These Southamptoners are definitely the band to watch out for in 2011.
Buy their album “After The Fight” here: http://labrecs.com/na
Buy tickets for the February headline tour here: http://labrecs.com/Advised Tickets
Whether it’s a change in society or we’re all just becoming a lot more open minded, appreciating the female body is no longer done by just those who are attracted to girls. “Lad’s Magz” such as Nuts, Loaded, Zoo, FHM, Playboy and Maxim have been around a long time and are being borrowed by girlfriends more and more. I spoke to gorgeous and lovely Front and Xtreme Playpen model, Amy Lewis, on what it’s like to be someone featured in these magazines.
What made you decide to start modelling?
I remember seeing an advert for FRONT at the top of Myspace (lol) and clicked on it and it just interested me that these girls had tattoos and piercings and looked so awesome in their photos, so I wanted to have a go!
What were your first steps?
Getting half naked in my bedroom and taking some photos. I sent them to Front & they got back to me saying I was going in the magazine! Then it just went on from there really.
Is it hard getting your kit off in front of strangers?
The first real photoshoot I did I was really shy for the first few pics but the photographers I’ve worked with are really professional.
What did your parents say when they found out?
I told my mum I had something to tell her and she thought I was pregnant! But she always says she proud of me. As for my dad, I made mum tell him haha! Then he phoned me and just want to make sure its all safe and legitimate, typical father!
What has been your favourite photoshoot?
The shoot I did for Front “sexy students” being around all the other girls was fun. Kayleigh Mallen is so pretty & lovely, it was lovely to meet her. I did a shoot in Reskue skate shop in Southampton for xtremeplaypen.com which was pretty good aswell!
Also, I did a shoot in the snow today which made my legs turn purple but it was awesome, that was for deadgiraffe.co.uk
What’s been your funniest moment so far concerning modelling?
Funniest. Doing the deadgiraffe.co.uk shoot, I was shooting in the photographers (www.davidransom.org) garden and I know all his housemates so there I am changing in his room and come out in just a tshirt and knickers and as I walk out of his room his house mate (another friend) comes down the stairs and has the most shocked look on his face thinking “Why is she coming out of his room half naked?!!” Amazingly funny!
Any embarrassing moments involving your mum showing her friends?
Oh she shows them all the time! Most embarrasing.. I wasn’t there but she told me that when she bought the first copy of Front that I was in, the man behind the counter gave her an odd look and she was just like “My daughters in it, look” and then she showed him and said “It’s like im looking in a mirror”. Eugh, cringe!
What do you like to get up to when you’re not shooting?
Pretty much get home from work, put on my onesie and chill out! Or go to gigs and drink lots of cider and feel terrible the next day .
Do you hope that it can progress into a full time career for you in the future?
I would love too, sign me up! Its so much more fun than sitting in a call centre all day! You get to meet lovely people, get a bit pampered and get free stuff woo!
Any advice for any girls wanting to get into modelling?
Get snapping away and send them into magazines and hope for the best. Rubbish advice but I didn’t expect anything to come off the back of it and now Ive been in Front a few times and I’m an official model on xtremeplaypen.com and get asked to do a few clothing companies.
Check out more pictures of Amy at Frontarmy.com and xtremeplaypen.com
Everyone knows that presentation is a fundamental part of product selling and with shopping, blogging and listening to music being done online by more people every single day, having that eye catching yet easy to navigate website is very important. Web design company This Is Design have created website for just about every product and different music genre out there. I asked Richard Hiorns a few questions about what it takes to make a website.
Who’s behind This Is Design and what are the jobs they do?
I run This Is Design with my friend Richard Anderson (RA). He does the majority of the graphics design and then I, Richard Hiorns (RH) do all all the coding of pages and apps.
What made you start the company in the first place?
We started the company when RA asked if I knew how to code a myspace as a client wanted him to do one, so I coded it and the job went really well. At the time not many people were doing personalised web designing for clients so we started up TID.
What are the steps involved in going from the first contact with the person wanting work to the finished website and how long does that process take?
Usually a client emails in telling us a rough idea of what they want, then we generally ask them a more thorough brief to get a good idea of the project etc. then we quote them. If the client accepts, we then usually take a deposit to secure the job and stop time wasters. If needed, the client will send over any images, logos and extra info we need. Once thats done RA, or sometimes myself, draft up the mock and get the ok from the client, once the design is approved we take the final deposit. I then code the site on our test servers and make sure its all working across different browsers. When the client approves I will upload it to their site / hosting.
Did you study at college or university?
Nope, I picked coding up myself and improved over the years.
Can you code anything from Tumblr’s to blank sites?
Yep, we code everything from tumblrs, myspaces, iphone apps to full e-commerce webstores.
Who have you done work for in the past?
We have working for a lot of people, such as Pyknic Clothing, Honour Over Glory, Bring Me The Horizon, Gallows, Audrey Kitching.
Have you always been freelance or have you worked for others in the past?
I have been but RA has done as he was mainly a illustrator before TID started.
What would you say is the hardest part of creating a website?
The hardest part really is the testing of a site to ensure it works in all web browsers and across Mac / Windows.
What do you enjoy getting up to in your spare time?
When im not coding i’m either playing with my band or on PS3 / Xbox, RA is massively into his football so he’s always banging on about that.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Well I hope to see TID still going strong of course !
Head over to http://www.ilovethisisdesign.co.uk/ to check out some examples of their work, or email them at mail@ilovethisisdesign.co.uk if you’re interested in getting a website design from them.
Ohh thankyou so much! I think I find out soon, I hope I get it, I want it more than anything! xo
Message me on facebook love!
I had the pleasure of stumbling upon talented photographer, Joshua Porter after asking people who they’d like to hear an interview from and he agreed to answer a few questions. I strongly recommend checking him out and keeping up to date with his work!
Describe yourself in exactly ten words.
Ambitious, career-driven, creative and extremely sarcastic at best times.
How long have you been doing photography?
Around six years now. I started at thirteen when my parents bought me a compact Samsung digital camera. I think I just fell in love with the possibility of capturing an instant in time. I had always loved looking at photos and exhibitions in museums always amazed me, even at such a young age. I come from quite an artistic family and I guess something artistic was bound to happen for me at some point.
Do you currently study at a college or university?
I do study, yeah. I recently began my BA (Honours) in Photography at LCAD (Leeds College of Art & Design). I will (hopefully) be there for the next three years now and then whatever comes after that.
Do you intend to turn it into a life long career?
Most definitely! I cannot imagine not taking photographs for a living. This is definitely my calling. I can’t see myself working in any other job. I work in retail just now just to have that little bit extra money for buying new equipment, film and affording to be able to go home. If I have to do that for the rest of my life I think I will just shoot myself.
What made you decide to take it up in the first place?
It was definitely seeing the greats like Ansel Adams’ work dotted around the place. My art tutor in school noticed that I had something before anyone else. She would always comment that I had “the eye”. I am the hugest critic of my work and nothing I ever do is good enough and I constantly strive to improve, but it seems a number of people agree with her which is really nice.
Who are your biggest influences?
I am influenced heavily by my peers. Not so much in style but definitely when it comes to being influenced to improve my work. Some people seem to frown that I don’t come out with a huge string of photographic greats like Annie Leibowitz. yeah, her work is unbelievable but it doesn’t mean anything to me, if that makes sense?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I hope to be traveling the world photographing all different kinds of people, landscapes and amazing things. Working for such as National Geographic is a huge dream for me. That or living in an apartment in New York and earning a pretty sum doing what I love.
What do you get up to in your spare time?
I spend a lot of time planning projects and working on video. I have always been interested in cinematography and I have worked on a number of video projects with different people. Other than that I am like any other nineteen year-old guy really. I play xbox, I exercise a fair amount and I chill out.
What are you favourite subjects to shoot?
This is usually a question I can never pinpoint the answer to really. It changes a lot. I always love portraiture and photographing artists/bands live or promotionally. Portraits is where I can do whatever I want 75% of the time. I can let my ideas flow. I would say that is what I really like doing right now.
Can we find any of your work published?
I have been published in Glasgow-based Indicate Magazine (www.indicatemagazine.co.uk) where my photographs also make up the background for the web-page. I have been published in Idol Magazine, Rokbun.com. I’ve been in Kerrang! and NME once or twice, but never anything big.
What equipment and software do you use?
This could take a while!
For digital imagery I use: Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 17-40 f4 L, Canon Speedlite 430EX. That is my personal kit, however I have constant access to near enough any lens in the canon range from my university and I also have use of industry standard Ellinchrom Ranger 400 lighting kits for location shooting and I have access to a private studio space.
For film photography: Mamiya RB67 Pro S, 90mm f3.8, 120 Medium format film back, Polaroid back, Fuji Instax 100, Practika B100, 28mm f2.8, 50mm f1.8 - the list goes on and on!
Software is generally the same as anyone really. Adobe Photoshop CS5 and Lightroom 3 for editing my images and then either iMovie or Adobe Audition for videos, depending on how simple the cut is and that is all on Mac.
Can people hire you for photoshoots?
Yeah they can hire me really easily to be honest. Just send an e-mail to photo@joshuaporter.co.uk and more often than not I will reply straight away. Right now is a pretty good time too, I am offering deals for people and no matter what time of year I will more than likely travel anywhere.
Find Joshua’s work on:
Tumblr - http://www.joshuaporterphoto.tumblr.com
Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/joshuaporteruk
Myspace - http://myspace.com/joshuaporteruk
& Keep your eyes pealed for the soon to be launched www.joshuaporter.co.uk
Hey there all, we are Hopeless UK.
This Tumblr is the best way for you UK fans to stay in touch with all that is going on with the Hopeless Family. We know there are a lot of huge UK fans out there who just wish they got to be that little bit closer to their favourite bands - that’s why we’re here.
We want to make sure you guys are rewarded for being that little bit extra patient to see the likes of All Time Low, Yellowcard, Dangerous Summer etc… than our US buddies. How are we going to do that? By making sure that you guys are the first to know about:
- UK tour dates - you’ve waited, you’ve been patient, you’ve memorised every word of every song and finally they’re coming to our little island. It’s our job to make sure you guys know that first.
- Exclusive previews - be this of tracks, videos, albums or merchandise, you’ll find it here.
- Free give-aways - every now and again we’re just gonna give away one of our tracks, just because we can and to thank you guys for being so damn supportive.
- Merch deals - so, you’ve had your eye on that All Time Low T forever but it’s just that tad expensive? That’s cool, we’re here to make sure you know where to shop and when to shop to get awesome value for money. Keep an eye out for limited time offers too.
- Latest signings - we’re a big family, and we’re getting bigger, it seems everyone just wants to be Hopeless these days, luckily we’re there forever welcoming the most Hopeless among us and making our family ever bigger.
- Chances to get involved - this is a UK community, that means fellow UKers, we need your help. The more of you tweet, tumble and status update about our amazing bands, the more chance there is of seeing them on your TV or hearing them on your radio station. Even more than that, the more involved you are, the more chance there is of free tracks, cds, merch and even shows for the most Hopeless among you!
- Video updates/interviews/release dates/band messages/fan questions and much much much more - everything you could expect from us and then some.
Sound alright? Sweet! Get talking about us, follow us on Twitter @HopelessUK and join our ‘Hopeless Records UK’ Facebook friends and then invite all your friends to the party! We are Hopeless (UK).
Are you a fan of All Time Low, Yellowcard, Silverstein, There For Tomorrow, The Wonder Years, Anarbor, The Dangerous Summer, Divided By Friday, For The Foxes, The Human Abstract, Mustard Plug or We Are The In Crowd? Well they’re all members of the Hopeless Records family and I strongly advise you to start following this blog run by a very good friend of mine.
BRING ME THE HORIZON, PARKWAY DRIVE, ARCHITECTS AND THE DEVILS WEARS PRADA ANNOUNCE UK TOUR.
This will definitely be one to add to your calendars.
22nd April - Manchester Apollo
23rd April - Newcastle O2 Academy
24th April - Glasgow O2 Academy
26th April - Nottingham Rock City
27th April - Southampton Guildhall
28th April - Birmingham O2 Academy
29th April - Bristol O2 Academy
30th April - London O2 Brixton Academy
I’m unsure as to when tickets come on sale so keep checking their Twitter accounts!
Started in only 2008 by ex-I Killed The Prom Queen vocalist, Michael Crafter, Confession have since released both an EP and album. As well as what appears to be constantly touring their home country of Australia, the band were also over here earlier this year with American band, For The Fallen Dreams, and Scottish band, Azriel.
Currently on tour over seas, I asked their drummer, Shane O’Brien, a few questions.
How long have you been in the band and what made you join?
I’ve been in the band for a little over a year. I was playing a show with my other band, Jack The Stripper, Crafter was at the show and asked me to come down and try out, so I did and two weeks later went on a headline tour.
Who are your biggest influences?
As far as drumming goes, im a total nerd. I go to clinics and get lessons off as many drummers as I can when there in Australia. Guys like Virgil Donati, Marco Minnemann, John Blackwell, Dennis Chambers, Travis Barker, Damian Corniola are huge influences on the way I play.
Where has been your favourite place to play?
I dont really have a favorite place to play… I kinda just like playing anywhere. I’ve been playing shows since I was 13, i’ve done the shows to no payers then to shows of thousands and to be honest I still get the same thrill from all of them, I just like playing!
Who have been your favourite band to tour with?
I dont think we have ever had a shit band to tour with, they have all been real fun, so i cant really choose a favourite. Sometimes you get a shit dude in the mix, usually they’re just someones mate or whatever but all the tours so far have been just way too fun, it’s ridiculous.
Any plans for Confession to return to the UK in the near future?
Well, we are actually going away next week to the parkway house in Byron Bay to write our next record, after that we have the ‘No Sleep Til Festival’ tour, then we will be recording the CD early next year. So, as far as going back overseas, i’m not sure but maybe off the back of the next cd we’ll come back.
When you’re not on tour what do you like to get up to?
Well right now I have a window of UFC streaming, but im always busy; Practicing, playing shows, filling in for bands, recording etc. etc. It doesnt really ever stop. If I do ever get a few days of hanging out, I usual freak out and take up another hobby or membership such as physics and UFO investigating.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I plan so far ahead its ridiculous, so according to my diary ill be… Killing it. Nah, I have no idea and I dont really care! Everything is going well for me so, fingers crossed it keeps going the way it is! As long as im happy it doesnt matter to me at all.
It seems these days that finding a perfect designer seems to be similar to finding a needle in a haystack. I spoke to designer Callum Green to see how he manages to turn out perfect design after perfect design.
Where can we find your work?
Honour Over Glory, Across The Sea, Azriel, Circa Survive, Thirty Days Of Night Records, 10th Commandment to name a few!
What do you use to create the pieces?
Normally the client gives me an idea, or I think up something I want to draw, then sketch out basic composition/layout in my sketchbook. Then I transfer it onto my mac, and use Photoshop and a Wacom Intous 4 tablet to draw it.
Where do you find the inspiration for your work?
Lots of places! I have a huge folder of 500 odd images saved from everywhere of stuff I find inspirational. From old school tattoos to product design.
Did you decide to sell your own shirts first, or did that come after designing for others?
I started designing them first, then felt that it would be cool to print some of my designs. I enjoyed it but didn’t put enough time and effort into it. So it just fizzled out really. Not to say something isn’t coming up though…
What has been your favourite design/client to work with?
I don’t have a favourite. I like the people that give me free reign just as much as the people who have an idea in their head (as long as they’re not too push, and let me have some freedom).
Do you have a preference in working with bands over clothing company’s?
None at all! I don’t mind who I work for.
How does it feel to see people wearing things that you have created?
One of the best feelings. Knowing people like my artwork enough to plaster it on their bodies is amazing. I never seem to wear my own designs though.
What are you plans with taking things further in the future?
Hopefully just to push up with bigger and more recognisable bands. And maybe start to push my own line again.
Any advice to give to people who want to succeed in graphic design?
Keep trying! Email as many bands and try everything to get your name out.
Never give up on yourself!
Contact callumgreenart@hotmail.com if you’re interested in any design work!
Above is the brand new Confide video brought to you by the extremely talented videographer, Jon Stone. Jon has created some incredible videos in the past, and with each new video out doing the last, it’s obvious his career is going to continue to grow and grow.
How did you get in to video production?
The short version?
I bought a camera and started shooting. University wasn’t for me and after a few runner jobs for production companies in London I decided to go it alone. After a long term break up and an awful shift at the day job, I decided to take the jump. Job quit. Dream chased.
Since then I’ve worked hard through countless hours to develop my career. It’s not been an easy process but the pros definitely outweigh the cons.
Who are a few of the artists that you’ve worked with?
I’ve worked with some amazing bands this year; Futures, Lower Than Atlantis, Francesqa, Deaf Havana to name a few. It’s a great time to be involved with the UK music industry and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There’s a lot of passion, energy and drive at the moment.
Who has been your favourite artist to work with?
Tricky, I always aim to have fun with the artists regardless of content of the video so I don’t think I can pin it down to just one. Shooting Futures and Lower Than Atlantis is always amazing. Confide flew me over to Warped Tour this summer, which is an experience I’ve dreamt about since I was about 12 and that’s something i’ll never forget.
How do you think up new ideas each time for the videos?
I don’t think theres a single source of inspiration; movies, music, books. I’m pretty openminded in my tastes so sometimes it’s nice to take an idea completely out of context and develop that. The key is always to work together to make something stand out in what is a very competitive market. Film-making is definitely a co-operative process.
Music videos are a huge step in a bands career, not to mention a large expense, so we work together. We discuss, we hone and we develop our ideas collectively.
How long does it usually take you to go from initial contact with the artist to finished product?
It varies; some projects take months, others take a phone call. I’m very passionate about my work so as soon as the ball starts rolling I tend not to shut up about it till it’s released into the world.
What camera equipment and editing software do you prefer to use?
I’m shooting on a variety of equipment at the moment. My staple camera is a Canon 7D, technically a stills camera, but it produces amazing results. For editing, there’s a whole host of software I use but Final Cut Studio Pro is at my workflow’s foundations.
Do you have any work lined up for the near future that you’re really excited about?
I have one huge project that i’m ridiculously excited about which will be out in the new year. That’s pretty much all I can say at the moment, but it’s going to be a great way to round off what has been an amazing year for me. And i’m sure nearer the release you won’t be able to silence me.
Where do you hope to see yourself in five years?
Considering the experiences I’ve attained and the results I’ve achieved in the last year, it’s hard to contemplate what else could happen. I’m living for the moment.
What advice would you give to anyone who wants to get into this profession?
It’s a huge cliche for directors and others in the film industry to say “Pick up a camera and film something” but it’s also true. Be bold and take chances, it’s all too easy to get comfortable and not take risks. And finally be polite, smart and friendly. A little courtesy and thought does wonders.
Check out http://www.jonstonevideo.tumblr.com and keep your eyes pealed for more of Jon’s work coming your way soon.
Everyone who has access to the internet has seen a photo taken by this talented young photographer. From clothing companys, to bands, to weddings, hell to even what you had for dinner, Jordan Green will photograph it and make it look good.
What started your passion for photography?
I first started getting into photography about 3-4 years ago now, simply from when I was interested in graphic design and web design. I would be searching the internet for hours upon hours looking for tutorials and finding photos that would suit this particular design I was doing at the time. I then would attempt to take my own photos of what I wanted to do with the design and web page. I bought my first DSLR while I was in New York in 2007, it was the ever so amazing Canon 350D. That little camera grew with me and I used it pretty much every day for just over 2 years, I then finally upgraded it after the cameras technology being 6 years old, to the Canon 5D MarkII.
Was it a case of picking up a camera and being a natural or was it something you worked hard at to perfect?
Some say it comes naturally, and to be honest I would agree with this, but then again its slightly different to something like painting and fine art. This is because you have to be good at controlling the paintbrush with you hand if you cant do that, then you aren’t necessarily going to be a good artist. Where as with photography you can learn technically how to take photos because its technology at the end of the day. But to take great photos is something else, I think this is what comes naturally you know what looks good visually and portray that through the camera then technically. But everyday I am trying to perfect my own unique style that I like and am happy with.
Who would you say is your biggest influence when it comes to photography?
I would say one of my biggest influences would be the ever so critically acclaimed Annie Leibowitz, now I know anyone in the photography business will say what a cliche person to choose, and I would agree. But she has done a lot with her life and career shooting lots of different styles ranging from landscapes to live music to documentary and to high fashion work. But I do still say to myself the biggest influences to me and the people of this time is your peers and other photographers you know, especially with the use of Flickr and the social side of the site, you begin to know photographers on the other side of the world that as just the same as you, and you share ideas and look through their work and everyone is individual and I take big influences through this.
What has been you favourite shoot to date?
I have had a lot of shoots recently, and my favourites shoots are with people you become friends with and can talk to and connect with. Last weekend I had a great long weekend with the guys in While She Sleeps we shot at a lot of locations and we all connected and i’d like to think I made some good mates out of it. The same as a bit ago I was shooting photos and video for The Ocean Between Us back up in Leeds and the group are a bunch of sorted guys, and they are definately my friends now and its always feels good when you meet new people and can call them your friend, it not only make the shoot worth it, but the time as well! I have worked a lot with Tom from Honour Over Glory and done numerous shoots for him and they have all been ace and can’t wait for the new one we have coming up soon!
Do you have a preference with the type of subjects that you work with?
I like to work with people. I just feel you take photos to connect with people viewing them and I like to feel the connection when taking the photo as well, me personally I don’t get this from say landscape photography. I want to be able to connect with people in the photos.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Well in five years time technically I will have finished my BA course in photography at uni and should be in the big bad world on my todd. But realistically I would like to think I will have made a name for myself and would love to be shooting a number of times per week, hopefully carrying on with my interests in the music and portrait industry side of photography. I have been working a lot more in video as well now as my current camera will allow me to do so, and its something i hope to pursue and see where the moving image takes me.
Any advice you can give to any budding photographers?
Don’t buy a fisheye for you first lens! Seriously, I made that mistake worst decision and waste of money ever, get a 50mm they are incredible. But stick it out, experiment like crazy. Don’t read instructions, just experiment wherever you are, find out what happens when you change this setting and then this other setting, this way you will know in your head and instinctively what will happen, rather than trying to remember what you read in a book.
If you know what’s good for you, you’ll book Jordan for something asap http://www.jordangreenphoto.com
At the moment to get me started i’m just going through my friends list on facebook, I suppose this is slightly cheating but I just want to get up and running first, fill the blog up with content, get followers etc.
I’m going to take a dictaphone to TDON 6 and annoy everyone I can! xo
